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Unit of study_

WORK6118: Managing Communication in Organisations

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In this unit, students learn theories of communication and how they apply within organisations, at an organisational, team and individual level. In the unit, we review the concept of communication through different theoretical and philosophical lenses so that students gain an understanding of how different perspectives provide different insights into communication within organisations. The unit also examines communication processes and how communication occurs between individuals and within groups. There is also a focus on communication challenges such as technology, diversity and globalisation. The unit incorporates practical exercises and case studies to enable students to evaluate their own communication practices and to apply the knowledge and understanding they gain from the unit to their own organisations and careers.

Unit details and rules

Unit code WORK6118
Academic unit Work and Organisational Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
ECOF6030 or ECOF6040
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Maria Ishkova, maria.ishkova@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam Final exam
a combination of essay questions based on unit topics and class activities
40% Formal exam period 3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Team project report (UPSKILL)
Part 1 of the Team Project to inform the video presentation
15% Multiple weeks
Due date: 16 Sep 2021 at 17:00

Closing date: 04 Nov 2021
1200 Words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Team Project presentation (UPSKILL)
video presentation followed by the class discussion and activities
15% Multiple weeks 10 min + 10/20 min of related activities
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Individual report
Report
30% Week 05 1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Individual report: Students are required to analyse and make recommendations regarding an organisational communication by drawing on, integrating, and applying the learnings from communication theories introduced in the first part of the course.
  • UPSKILL Team Project, Part 1: Team Report In groups of 4-6 members from the same tutorial, students are required to examine a communication challenge/process in the company/industry of their choice through the lens of communication process theories and formulate recommendations to inform Part 2 of the Team Project (Team Presentation). Choice of topics will be provided early in the semester.
  • UPSKILL Team Project, Part 2: Team Presentation In the same group of 4-6 members - and based on the analysis and recommendations to the target audience specified in their Team Report - students are required to create a Professional Development Resource (UPSKILL) in the video format, present it in class and facilitate a class discussion and activities to support their presentation.
  • Final exam: This will consist of a combination of essay questions. The aim of the exam is to test understanding of the relevant topics, the ability to critically analyse them and engage in self-reflection. Topics covered in the exam may be based on any of the weekly topics, activities and readings.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school. 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late submission penalties for the individual report follow the Business School Policies. Team Project will have varied dates of submission in line with the chosen topic (starting from week 6). Key rule: both parts of the Team Project must be submitted before the actual day of the presentation. Please note that in the event that a team member does not contribute to the Team Project in a meaningful / reasonable way then the unit coordinator may consider the evidence and adjust the mark for that individual.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to the UoS and Flipped Classroom approach Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 Feedback and Listening as a key to success in Organisational Communication Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 03 Understanding how communication in organisations is shaped by underlying assumptions and world views Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 04 Key challenges to the Organisational Communication, Part 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Key challenges to the Organisational Communication, Part 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Socialisation processes Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 07 Decision making and Persuasion Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 08 Nonverbal communication and Emotion Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 09 Communication in groups and teams Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Conflict management processes Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Leadership processes Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Organisational change Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Content review Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes. In line with the Business School Policy, students are expected to attend a minimum of 90 per cent of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption through special consideration, special arrangement, previously arranged disability adjustment or by the Associate Dean. See Resolutions of the University of Sydney Business School (Faculty resolutions) https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/business_school_PG/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There is no prescribed textbook. All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. analyse communication approaches and processes within organisations using communication theories
  • LO2. apply theories and models of communication to intra-personal and interpersonal communication practices
  • LO3. analyse communication processes within groups and identify strategies to improve these processes
  • LO4. develop interpersonal communication skills to become more effective across different work and career contexts
  • LO5. apply theory to communication challenges within organisations to identify strategies for improvement.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The unit is being offered as an intensive in the first half of semester to help balance student workload across the semester and to provide more flexibility.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.